Knockdown table



Dec. 12, 1950 c, MOLLA 2,533,831

KNOCKDOWN TABLE Filed June 7, 1946 ATT ORN Patented Dec. 12, 1950 KNOCKD OWN TABLE Eharles i. ll/iolla, New Hyde Park, N. Y., assignor to Malia incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corpcratien of New York Application .liunc 7, 1946, Serial No. 675,161

3 Claims.

This invention relates to what are generally referred to as end tables or servin tables. More particularly, the invention deals with an article of manufacture of this type and kind constructed of metal frame parts in such manner that the respective parts can be packed for shipment and storage in a relatively small package and quickly and readily set up for use. Still more particu larly, the invention comprises a table of the class described comprjsing table and parts which, when assembled, will form a strong and durable construction, the table part having upper and lower frames with means for retainin a top or facing sheet against accidental displacement therefrom. The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying dravnng, in which, certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

Fig. lis a perspective view of a table made according to my invention showing the table tops r facing sheets broken away and partly in section.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view illustrating the manner of assembling the table frames with the end leg frames.

Fig. 3 is a side view of one end portion of a modified form of table whch I employ.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line d-i of Fig. 3 indicating one table frame in dot and dash lines.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing another form of construction.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line ii-i5 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a container diagrammatically illustrating the arrangement of the table parts therein for storage and shipment.

In Fig. 1 of the drawing, I have shown a table comprising a top rectangular table frame Iii, a lower rectangular table frame it and two similarsubstantially A-shaped leg frames i2, i2 supporting and spac'ng the ends of the frames iii and ii. Both frames if and ii are of angle-iron or L-shaped in cros -secticnal form throughout the sides end ends thereof. The frame it is ar ranged inverted with respect to the frame H so as. to provide a flat upper surface, as at 53; for supporting a glass, plastic or other facing panel M, the latter being held against displacement by L-shaped reinforcing corner strips it secured to the frame iii and each having a par of upstanding keepers it which engage the peripheral edges of the panel is, as is clearly apparent from a com sideration of Fig. 1 of the drawing.

The depending portions of the end walls of the frame lilhave adjacent the corner portions thereof apertures for receiving bolts and similar fasteners and one of these apertures is shown at f'i in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

The frame H is upright instead of being in verted like the frame it), thus the bottom member or wall E8 of the frame forms a seat and support for the panel 19, similar to the panel M. The raised peripheral edge 2% retains the panel I ii against displacement and, at the same time, forms a raised ridge, as indicated at ii, at the left of Fig. 1 to retain articles against displacement from the panel or top it.

Considering Fig. 2 of the drawing, it will appear that the horizontal portion 43 of the framehas adjacent the corner portions thereof apertures 22 for receiving fastener devices for attaching the frame H to the leg frames [2, l2.

Each leg frame comprises a pair of legs 23 and 24 on the frame I2, 23', 2 1' on the frame 12-. As both of these frames are of the same construction, the brief description of one will apply to both.

The legs 23 and 24 are joined by a top crosshead 25 having adjacent the ends thereof apertures 26 registering with the apertures H to receive the bolts or other fasteners, a for example, at 21' in Fig. 1 of the drawing for securing the top frame ID in position. The legs 23, 24 are also joined and braced by flat U-shaped rods 23' welded to the legs. The rods 28 having protrudingends 29, apertured, as seen at it, to regis- 1161' with the apertures 22. in the frame H and to receive bolts, screws or similar fasteners 35, as indicated in Fig. 1 of the draw'ng, in securing the frame I! to the leg frames i2, I2. All of the legs of the frames it, ill have large feet to adapt the metal furniture for mounting on soft surfaces without injury or penetrating the surfaces. In Fig. 2 of the drawing, these feet are designated by the reference character 22.

With the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the knockdown table will comprise two relatively thin table frames It and II and two relatively thin leg frames i2, i2. These four parts, when disassembled, can be conveniently packed in a ectangular thin package, as for example, the container 33' shown in Fig. 7 of the drawing. The panels. or table tops [4 and It may or may not be employed as part of the complete package depending upon the shipping requirements. I have found from practice that, where these tops are of different colors and ornamentations, it is desirable to package them separately to simplify filling of orders in satisfying the desires of a customer. In this way, the metal frame structure of the table can be sold in one of a number of base colors or colorcombinations with different types and kinds of ornamental tops, particularly when other than plain glass tops are employed.

It will be apparent that, by providing the knockdownstructure and forming the same in the rigid manner herein disclosed a relatively large number of tables can be packed for storage and shipment and more conveniently handled than would be possible in complete articles of furniture built in a permanent assemblage. Furthermore, the question of breaking or damage is substantially dispensed with.

'In Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing, I have shown a modified adaptation of my invention, wherein I employ two table frames Ila and Ill), similar to the frames l and II and, instead of employfurther reinforced, as well as characterized by corner brace strips having inturned rounded ends ll, as clearly seen in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

With this construction, the two similar table frames Ha, I [bare supported in spaced relationship to each other and upon these may be arranged table or panel members, as at l9a, [9b.

In Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawing, I have shown a further modification which differs from the structure shown in Figs. 3 and '4, primarily in uniting the table frames as a complete unit. In

this figure, 42 and 43 represent two similar table frames in all respects like the frames 1 la and I lb and these frames are integrally joined and spaced by L-shaped or angle-iron corner posts 44 by being welded or otherwise permanently secured thereto. With this construction, corner leg members or frames are employed having welded to their upper ends brackets 46, upon which the lower table frame 43 seats andjto which the frame is secured by screws or bots 41. In other words, the structure of Fig. 5 is the same as Fig. 3, except that, instead of extending the legs 34 to form supports for two independent 'table frames Ha, Hb in Fig. 5, the two frames 42 and 43 are united in the corner posts 44 and the legs 45' extend below this united frame. With the structure of Figs. 5 and 6, the resulting package will be governed in thickness largely by the depth of the complete top framecomprising the two table frames 42, 63 whereas in Figs. 3 and 4, the thickness of the package will be largely governed by the dimensions of the corner legs. In all instances, the contour of the table frames will govern the length and width of the resulting package.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and'desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In knockdown tables of the class described, two table frames comprising peripheral frame strips of L-shaped cross-sectional form forming horizontal and vertical wall portions, A-shaped leg frames detachable with respect to said table frames for supporting the same in producing a table having vertically spaced table frames at the upper portion thereof, a horizontal wall portion of the upper frame being arranged uppermost and of the lower frame lowermost, the horizontal wall of the lower frame forming means for supporting a table panel against displacement thereon, and means on the upper frame extending above the upper surface of the horizontal wall thereof for retaining the table panel against displacement therefrom.

2. In knockdown tables of the class described, two table frames comprising peripheral frame strips of L-shaped cross-sectional form'forming horizontal and vertical wall portions, means comprising leg members detachable with respect to said frames for supporting the same in producing a table having vertically spaced table frame, a horizontal wall portion, of the upper frame, being arranged uppermost and, of the lower frame, lowermost, the vertical wa.l of the lower frame forming means for supporting a table panel against displacement thereon, means onv the upper frame extending above the upper surface of the horizontal wall thereof for retaining the table panel'against displacement therefrom;

3. In knockdown tables of the class described;

the combination with a pair of rectangular table frames, each comprising a strip of angular crosssectional form, of substantially A-shaped leg frames, the leg frames comprising leg'members joined by a top cross-bar and a lower U-shaped,

cross bracket, means directly coupling one top table frame with the top cross-bar of said leg frames, means detachably coupling the other lower table frame with the U-shaped cross-' brackets of said leg frames, table panels for detachable mounting on each of said table frames,

. and the top table frame having raised means at corner portions thereof retaining the table panel against shifting displacement therefrom.

' CHARLES P. MOLLAI REFERENCES orrr p The following references are of record in the filev of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Num er Name Date 889.600 Graumiller l June 2, 1908 1,109,765 Lampert Sept. 8, 1914 1,164,439 'Winquist Dec. 14, 1915 1,188,613 Block June 27, 1916 1,252,816 Kuehl Jan. 8, .1918

1,264,228 Uhl Apr. 30, 1918 1,336,973 Levene Apr. 13, 1920 1,679,426 Howe Aug. 7, 1928 1,719,605 Gerberich July 2, 1929 1,929,467 Bales Oct. 10, 1933 1,934,372 OConnor Nov. 7, 1933 1,940,454 Karnes Dec. 10, 1933 1,961,394 Rothe- June 5, 1934 2,105,868 Thomas Jan. 18, 1938 1941 2,263,837 Erickson Nov. 25, 

